The Philippine House of Representatives will shift to a work-from-home (WFH) arrangement starting at 12 noon on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as the government responds to continued heavy rainfall and the cumulative effects of prolonged rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat.
The House said the arrangement follows Memorandum Circular No. 135, issued by the Office of the President on September 10 upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Under the House advisory, the WFH arrangement takes effect at 12:00 p.m. Thursday and covers House officials and employees. Personnel whose physical presence is required for essential and critical operations are exempted, with department heads determining which positions must remain onsite.
House Secretary General Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil issued the advisory under the authority of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, saying the move is intended to protect employees while allowing essential House operations to continue.
Why the House is moving workers home
The decision comes as the habagat continues to generate persistent rainfall across parts of Luzon and the Visayas. PAGASA said on Thursday that the southwest monsoon would continue to affect several areas, with some locations facing potentially heavy rainfall.
The Palace directive covers Metro Manila and 13 provinces, ordering government offices in affected areas to adopt appropriate alternative work arrangements for Thursday. Government agencies responsible for basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital functions are expected to continue operating.
This means the order is not a blanket shutdown of government services. Essential operations remain active even as many government employees shift away from physical offices.
The bigger weather picture
The WFH decision comes after days of weather disruptions linked to the southwest monsoon. PAGASA’s Thursday morning bulletin said the habagat would continue to bring rains over parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
The continuing rainfall has raised concerns over flooding and other hazards, particularly in low-lying and vulnerable communities. The government’s use of alternative work arrangements is intended to reduce unnecessary travel and exposure to hazardous conditions while keeping critical public services running.
The move also follows other government agencies that have adopted WFH arrangements during periods of severe weather. For example, the Professional Regulation Commission announced that affected offices would implement a WFH arrangement on September 10 pursuant to the same presidential directive.
What House employees need to know
For House personnel, the most important change is the 12 noon start time. Employees whose duties can be performed remotely are expected to work from home, while those assigned to essential or critical functions may still be required to report physically.
The House has also urged all personnel to exercise caution and put their safety and well-being first.
The latest development underscores how prolonged habagat rains are continuing to affect not only schools and communities but also the country’s government operations.
With more rain still expected in affected areas, authorities are keeping alternative work and learning arrangements in place as a precaution—raising the question of how long the weather disruption could continue if the monsoon persists.
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